Couple Gets Reunited With Their Stolen Wedding Photos 35 Years Later

Weddings are special occasions that normally only happen once or twice for most people. Due to their rarity and what they symbolize, it’s no surprise that brides and grooms spend hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars on a photographer and/or videographer to capture their big day.

Sadly, Mick and Tracey Hepworth had a handbag containing the film of their wedding photos swiped during their July 6, 1985, reception at an English pub. Although the couple was disappointed as they witnessed the thief scramble off with their meaningful photographs, they remained in a happy marriage for decades.

Mick and Tracey Hepworth, now 60 and 55 years old. SWNS

“We saw the two men running out and my auntie ran after them shouting,” Tracey’s cousin, Karren Williams who owned the handbag, recalled. “The lads ran off and we just lost sight of them.”

At some point after the snatch, the wedding guests gave up.

“The camera and film were in my handbag. As far as we were concerned, the pictures were gone, never to be seen again.”

Mick and Tracey Hepworth’s wedding photographs – via SWNS

SWNS

But now 35 years after the wedding photos were stolen, the couple was shocked that a random woman by the name of Angie McHale came forward with photos developed from that very same film. Apparently, Angie had come across both the empty handbag as well as the roll of film the same night of their reception. But not knowing who they belonged to, let alone how to get in contact with them, she had waited three long decades to give them back.

“I was walking down the street when I spotted the handbag. The bag was empty, but there was a roll of film. There was no internet then, so I just didn’t know how I would find who was in the pictures… (but) I would have never thrown the photographs away,” Angie explained.

It wasn’t until Angie came across the photos in her home once more while she was packing up her stuff prior to a move that she decided to post them on Facebook to see if anyone knew who they might belong to.

After posting the images on Facebook, she received approximately 500 comments. Fortunately, the post reached one of Karen’s acquaintances. “I think I have spotted you on some old photographs,” she said to her.

Sure enough, they were correct!

When Angie delivered the photos to the rightful owners’ home, they greeted her with fresh flowers as a way to say thank you.

“It just shows Facebook can be used for good,” said Tracey.

(L-R) Angie McHale with Karen Williams, SWNS photo

Now this July for the Hepworth’s 35th wedding anniversary, they’ll be able to look back at their wedding photos together. What a beautiful moment to finally be able to share as a married couple!